Joao Fonseca: The New Star of World Tennis Shines at Roland Garros
After the chants of his name died down, Joao Fonseca remained on the clay of court 7. The young tennis player, with a backward baseball cap and the energy of a teenager, took photos with dozens of fans and signed autographs on tennis balls, caps, and t-shirts. His enthusiasm was evident, enjoying every moment of his first participation in Roland Garros.
But his game in Tuesday’s first-round match revealed a different story. Facing Hubert Hurkacz, the tournament’s 30th seed and a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, Fonseca dominated the match. He took control early, breaking Hurkacz’s serve in the third game of the first set, and maintained the pressure throughout the match. Before a passionate crowd that filled every available seat in the court, Fonseca demonstrated why he is considered the next tennis superstar, defeating Hurkacz with a resounding 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in just one hour and 40 minutes.
“Expectations are going to arrive. People are going to talk, to compare me with other players. For my mentality, it’s good to be with people who help me maintain the mentality I need. I need to give my best to improve my routines, be with good people, stay healthy, and not focus on expectations,” Fonseca stated after his victory.
Joao Fonseca
Fonseca’s victory on court 7 was not a surprise to those who have followed his meteoric career. In 2023, Fonseca won the US Open junior title and reached the number 1 spot in the junior world ranking, becoming the first Brazilian player in history to finish the year at the top. This earned him the attention of the great figures of the sport; he was even invited to participate in the ATP Finals as a training partner for players like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Daniil Medvedev.
Three months later, Fonseca achieved his first victory on the ATP circuit, defeating Arthur Fils at the Rio Open, a tournament he had attended as a fan since childhood. He reached the quarterfinals of the event, attracting crowds similar to those of a soccer match. His ranking soared and he decided to turn professional.
Fonseca became the first man born in 2006 to win on the circuit, accumulating “youngest” distinctions. In August, he won his first Challenger title, being the youngest player to achieve it that season, and continued to rise in the rankings. At the end of 2024, he participated in the Next Generation ATP Finals in Saudi Arabia, where he won, being the youngest and lowest-ranked player.
His victory was validation for Fonseca. “It was super important for me to see that I am on the right track,” said Fonseca. Even his established colleagues could not hide their admiration. Stefanos Tsitsipas predicted great things for him in the coming years, and Fonseca fulfilled his promise.
After winning his qualifying matches, Fonseca debuted in the main draw of a Grand Slam at the Australian Open, where he defeated Andrey Rublev. Although he lost his next match, he managed to enter the top 100. In his next tournament, Fonseca won his first ATP title at the Argentina Open, becoming the youngest Brazilian player to win on the circuit and the fourth youngest player to win an ATP title this century.
Fonseca acknowledged that the results came faster than he expected. “I was working hard for this, but it has been faster than I [even] could imagine,” Fonseca said.
At Rafael Nadal’s press conference, the Roland Garros champion was questioned about Fonseca. “He has a great future ahead of him. I wish him the best,” said Nadal. Players like Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic have expressed their admiration for the young tennis player.
Fonseca, at 18, sometimes feels surreal when he hears players he has admired speak so highly of him. His matches have attracted massive and passionate crowds, especially from Brazilian fans. At the Miami Open, Fonseca commented that he felt “like in Brazil”.
Despite the enthusiasm, Fonseca and his family seek to maintain normalcy. For now, he doesn’t have a formal agent and trusts his parents. His close circle is small, and he focuses on following the path. Fonseca has big dreams for his career, but he focuses on the next steps.
Now, Fonseca is preparing for his next match against Pierre-Hugues Herbert, with the opportunity to reach the third round in a Grand Slam for the first time. Tuesday’s victory will likely propel him to a new ranking, and another win would place him among the top 50. Fonseca has found a way to overcome external pressure and is now ready to enjoy his time in Paris.
